Here's what you need to know about Durand Cup 2021
The 2021 edition of the Durand Cup will begin on September 5 when the Indian Air Force takes on Mohammedan SC. Ahead of the tournament, here's a handy refresher on everything you need to know about the competition:
What is Durand Cup?
Durand Cup is famous for being the oldest football tournament in Asia. The first edition of the competition was held in 1888. There have been 130 editions of the tournament since then, and the only interruption in the staging of the Durand Cup has been due to wars and the COVID-19 pandemic. East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have been the most successful teams participating in the tournament, with both Kolkata giants having won it 16 times. The defending champions are Gokulam Kerala FC, who won the tournament in 2019 by defeating Mohun Bagan 2-1 in the final.
Who will play in Durand Cup?
16 teams will participate in the 2021 edition of Durand Cup. Five of those teams play in the Indian Super League, namely Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, Hyderabad FC, Jamshedpur FC and Kerala Blasters FC. There are five more teams from the I-League and I-League Second Division, namely Gokulam Kerala FC, Mohammedan SC, Sudeva Delhi FC, FC Bengaluru United and Delhi FC. The remaining six teams are teams from the Indian Armed Forces, which include Assam Rifles, Army Green, Army Red, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Central Reserve Police Force.
ATK Mohun Bagan and East Bengal were both invited to participate in the tournament, but were forced to decline due to ATKMB's continental fixtures and East Bengal's investor issues.
What is the tournament format of Durand Cup?
The tournament begins with a group stage, with 16 teams divided into four groups of four teams each. Group A consists of the Indian Air Force football team, Bengaluru United, CRPF and Mohammedan Sporting Club. Group B is made up of Army Green, FC Goa, Jamshedpur FC and Sudeva Delhi FC. Group C consists of Bengaluru FC, Delhi FC, Indian Navy football team and Kerala Blasters FC. In Group D, the Assam Rifles football team, Army Red, Gokulam Kerala FC and Hyderabad FC will face each other.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals by the knockouts. The top-ranked teams from each group will play the second-ranked teams from the other groups in the quarter-finals, and the winners will advance to the semi-finals and then the final which will be played on 3 October.
Where will the Durand Cup be played?
The tournament will be held at three venues in West Bengal: Kalyani Stadium in Kalyani, Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata and Mohun Bagan Ground in Kolkata.
Where can you watch the Durand Cup?
The streaming rights for the Durand Cup have been acquired by Addatimes, and the games can be viewed on the Addatimes app.
Durand Cup full schedule in 2021:
September 5 - Indian Air Force vs Mohammedan Sporting Club - 4.15 pm IST
Sep 6 - CRPF vs FC Bengaluru United - 3.00 pm IST, Jamshedpur FC vs Sudeva Delhi FC - 3.00 pm IST
7 Sep - FC Goa vs Army Green - 3.00 PM IST
8 Sep - Delhi FC vs Indian Navy - 3.00 PM IST
9 Sep - Indian Air Force vs FC Bengaluru United - 3.00 PM IST, Assam Rifles vs Army Red - 3.00 PM IST
Sep 10 - CRPF vs Mohammedan Sporting Club - 3.00 pm IST, Jamshedpur FC vs Army Green - 3.00 pm IST
11 Sep - Kerala Blasters FC vs Indian Navy - 3.00 PM IST
12 Sep - Assam Rifles vs Hyderabad FC - 3.00 PM IST, Gokulam Kerala FC vs Army Raid - 3.00 PM IST
13 Sep - FC Goa vs Sudeva Delhi FC - 3.00 PM IST
14 Sep - Mohammedan Sporting Club vs FC Bengaluru United - 3.00 PM IST, CRPF vs Indian Air Force - 3.00 PM IST
15 Sep - Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters FC - 3.00 PM IST
16 Sep - Gokulam Kerala FC vs Hyderabad FC - 3.00 PM IST
17 Sep - Jamshedpur FC vs FC Goa - 3.00 PM IST, Army Green vs Sudeva Delhi FC - 3.00 PM IST
18 Sep - Delhi FC vs Bengaluru FC - 3.00 PM IST
19 Sep - Army Red vs Hyderabad FC - 3.00 PM IST Assam Rifles vs Gokulam Kerala FC - 3.00 PM IST
21 Sep - Bengaluru FC vs Indian Navy - 3.00 PM IST, Delhi FC vs Kerala Blasters FC - 3.00 PM IST
23 Sep - Quarter Final 1 - 3.00 PM IST
24 Sep - Quarter Final 2 - 3.00 PM IST, Quarter Final 3 - 3.00 PM IST
25 Sep - Quarter Final 4 - 3.00 PM IST
September 27 - Semifinal 1
29 September - Semifinal 2
October 3 - Finals
